7 summer signings in 2015 that have not worked out this season

#3 Mateo Kovacic - Real Madrid

Mateo Kovacic’s stellar performances for Inter Milan in Serie A attracted interest from some of the continent’s finest outfits. But a bumper €32 million paid by Real Madrid meant his services would gravitate to the Spanish capital, where he has since, somewhat unsurprisingly, found game time hard to come by.

Having featured 11 times for the club so far, starting on only 3 occasions, the Croatian has failed to register a single goal or assist in the league this term. The emergence of Lucas Vazquez has been particularly damaging to Kovacic’s advances, while Toni Kroos and Casemiro have operated as the two main holding players, leaving little room for Kovacic to get involved.

The 21-year-old has created 0.5 chances per game and, given the world-class attacking midfielders and forwards Real have available, his role has been limited to a more defensive one. It is a role where he struggles to utilise his movement and speed where his lack of physical presence is exposed.